Mobile broadband

[Iron]

Does anyone know of mobile provider with really fast mobile broadband?

I took a T Mobile dongle into a bookie shop ages ago, and although I could connect to the Internet, it was pretty sluggish.

Thanks

Jeff

[jimrobo]

they're all the same really none of them are fast. Watch this space when LTE comes into place though

[Ethanol]

3's network has been built from the ground up on 3G, so I would recommend them. Shop around, and you should also find that they're the best-priced network for whatever you're looking for.

Also, £83.33 cashback with Quidco!

[jimrobo]

The problem is 3g is slow! However well the network is built as soon as you compare it to a fixed line you are always going to see it as slow.

LTE brings a whole new level of speeds that may compete with a fixed line but the technology is quite a bit off in the uk anyway.

[Ethanol]

I guess it depends what you're going to use it for. For general web usage, I find that it's absolutely fine.

The problem is not with the speed; it's with the latency. It is possible to get pings of around 100ms in the right areas, but these pings can get as slow as 1,000ms in the wrong areas.

I haven't tried using 3G for trading, but I would imagine if you're getting 100ms pings, it should be useable. 1,000ms, and you may not want to bother...

[JollyGreen]

The problem is 3g is slow! However well the network is built as soon as you compare it to a fixed line you are always going to see it as slow.

LTE brings a whole new level of speeds that may compete with a fixed line but the technology is quite a bit off in the uk anyway.

I have a friend who uses LTE in Poland and I thought he was on drugs - he gets 80mbps down and 12mbps up

LTE.png

[jimrobo]

thats precisely the sort of speeds you can get on LTE! I think you can go up to 100!!

As usual though we are well behind in the uk! I don't even think we've sold the spectrum licenses yet!

[JollyGreen]

He did say he's achieved 90-100mbps but it can slow when the network gets busy

[jimrobo]

makes our fixed line average speeds look awful which is precisely what they are!!!

[Iron]

Thanks for your replies guys.

I might give Three's 21 meg broadband a go, given that it seems about 3 times faster than the nearest rival: http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/compar ... broadband/

Jeff

[JollyGreen]

I would be very surprised if you can exceed the normal 7.2mbps HPSA 3G modems. I hate it when they say "Up to 21mbps"

I read a report from OFCOM that showed the average download for 3G was 1.5mbps rising to around 2mbps in good coverage.

[Iron]

Thanks JG

I did wonder whether it was a marketing ploy (the word 'con' might be too strong! ). Either 3 have got some new technology that leaves their rivals standing, or their claims are a bit of an exaggeration...

Jeff

I would be very surprised if you can exceed the normal 7.2mbps HPSA 3G modems. I hate it when they say "Up to 21mbps"

I read a report from OFCOM that showed the average download for 3G was 1.5mbps rising to around 2mbps in good coverage.

[JollyGreen]

They are using the new HSPA+ technology to deliver these speeds. However, it is rolling out very slowly so I would ask them direct if your area is ready?

[JollyGreen]

Jeff

This is worth a read How fast is 4G

[Iron]

Thanks JG

'It was expected that Ofcom would release spectrum early next year however the 4G auction has recently been pushed back to late 2012.'

*Puts head in hands and mutters about quangos being a waste of space*

Jeff

Jeff

This is worth a read How fast is 4G